1980: Vemerana and the Coconut War
Jimmy Stevens declared Espiritu Santo independent in June 1980; the uprising ended in August 1980 with his surrender.[1] [2]
· Declaration
Declaration of the "State of Vemerana," 1980
Jimmy Stevens declared Espiritu Santo independent shortly before Vanuatu's own independence.
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: In June 1980, amid preparations for the 30 July 1980 independence of the New Hebrides (an Anglo-French condominium) as the Republic of Vanuatu, Jimmy Stevens, leader of the conservative Nagriamel movement, declared Espiritu Santo island independent as the "State of Vemerana" and styled himself its prime minister; the Nagriamel movement was backed by Francophone landowners, the Phoenix Foundation, and, covertly, the French government.
- Coconut War (Wikipedia) link, Vemerana declaration section. Source record
- Nagriamel (Wikipedia) link, Nagriamel backing section. Source record
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2.
Claim: The roughly twelve-week uprising, during which rebels blockaded Santo-Pekoa International Airport and destroyed two bridges, was ended after Vanuatu's government requested Papua New Guinean military intervention; Papua New Guinean troops fatally shot Jimmy Stevens' son at a roadblock in late August 1980, prompting Stevens' surrender. Stevens was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, serving until 1991, and Vanuatu's independence proceeded as planned on 30 July 1980.
- Coconut War (Wikipedia) link, Military intervention and outcome section. Source record
Printed from https://independenceatlas.com/movements/espiritu-santo-separatism/history · last substantive update 24 September 2026.